TRU Stakeholder Update April 2025
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TRU Stakeholder Update - April 2025
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Good morning,
Welcome to the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s monthly stakeholder update for April. As a multi-billion-pound transformative railway programme in the North of England, TRU recognises the importance of keeping our stakeholders informed and engaged as we work to deliver more reliable, faster, and greener train services for our customers and freight.
April key updates at a glance: New funding boost for TRU TRU celebrates recognitions at industry awards Progress of our work at Ravensthorpe Skills Hub launched in partnership with Kirklees Council TRU celebrates Global Recycling Day Blockades between Ravensthorpe and Leeds completed Information on our rail blockades planned for 2025, as TRU construction increases |
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TRU FAST FACTS
| TRU is a multi-billion pound railway programme which aims to:
Provide 15% quicker journeys between York and Manchester on reliable electric trains. Offer up to six fast services every hour (from four per hour) between Leeds and Manchester. Halve time lost to delays on trans-Pennine services. - Deliver early benefits with electric trains running now between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.
- We've created 5000 jobs on TRU to date, and 85% of colleagues come from within 40 miles of the route. We will create over 8000 jobs during the duration of the programme.
We’re expanding freight provision – widening tunnels so shipping containers can travel from ports on the east and west of the country via rail, helping remove up to 1000 lorries a day from roads across the Pennines. While working on a live railway, we are keeping customers updated with comprehensive customer handling plans. We have improved the railway on three diversionary routes to allow more trains to run, to help keep customers and freight moving by rail while the core Transpennine route is disrupted to deliver essential works. |
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TRU social value in numbers
We believe sustainable development is the only way to keep us on track to a better future for rail in the North. Check our progress below which summarises the work and some of our key achievements in driving social value initiatives in communities. |
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£707m spent with local businesses
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£323m spent with SME businesses |
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| The Prime Minister announced the latest tranche of TRU funding |
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The Prime Minister has announced an additional £415m for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), bringing total approved funding to £7.3bn. This funding will help deliver faster, more frequent, and greener rail services between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. TRU is also creating thousands of jobs, hundreds of apprenticeships, and reducing carbon emissions by up to 87,000 tonnes each year.
James Richardson, TRU Managing Director, highlighted that the government shows confidence in our work. By improving connectivity and capacity, the programme will boost investment, housing, jobs, and productivity across the region.
This funding will help deliver a modern railway that better connects communities across the North, improving journeys for customers and strengthening the region's economic future. TRU will unlock new opportunities, support local business, and contribute to create a more prosperous and connected North for generations to come. |
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| Check the details here
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TRU celebrates recognition at ICE Yorkshire and Humber's annual awards and Spotlight Rail Awards |
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TRU has been honoured with the prestigious Smeaton Awards for projects under £5 million at the ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) Yorkshire and Humber's annual awards. This recognition was awarded for the complex replacement of Osmondthorpe Lane Bridge, a project completed over Christmas 2024. The judges praised TRU's innovative approach to sustainability, highlighting our efforts in carbon measurement and reduction, and our approach to community engagement.
In addition to this achievement, we received two accolades at the Spotlight Rail Awards. Our Social Value team received High Commendation for its outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. This recognition was largely due to our collaboration effort with author Chris Madeley on the book 'Cones and the Transpennine Route Upgrade'. The book aims to engage children by providing insights into railway safety, the benefits of TRU programme, and fun facts about the places along the route.
Our TRU East Alliance team also won the ‘Best Use of Technology - Infrastructure’ category at the same awards. They were recognised for their 4D construction simulation which enhanced the safety of the works at Osmondthorpe Lane bridge. The digital tool was used to virtually rehearse activities, identify hazards early, and streamline planning and execution.
These recognitions underscore TRU's commitment to excellence in both engineering and social value. We are proud of our efforts to incorporate sustainable practices and to contribute to making positive impact on society through our projects. |
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| Progress of TRU work in Ravensthorpe |
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Click play to watch the video and learn more about these exciting development. |
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TRU is set to deliver faster, greener trains on a more reliable railway with increased capacity. Our Ravensthorpe site is central to this transformation, hosting major projects that are key to unlocking the full benefits.
We're constructing a new viaduct and fly-over to allow faster trains to overtake slower ones. Additionally, the relocation of the station will enable the number of tracks to be doubled from two to four, ensuring quicker journeys for customers across the Pennines. To get an in-depth look at the progress, hear from Adam Bunce, TRU Senior Project Manager, about what's happening at one of the biggest civil engineering sites in the country. |
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| TRU takes part in the establishment of Kirklees Skills Hub to open up more opportunities in Construction |
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The Kirklees Skills Hub has officially opened, making a significant milestone for the construction industry in the Huddersfield area. This innovative initiative aims to provide valuable opportunities for individuals to develop careers in construction, addressing the growing demand for skilled workers in the sector.
TRU is proud to be a key partner in this collaborative effort, joining forces with Kirklees College, Operator Skills Hub, Kirklees Council, BAM UK & Ireland, and Amey. Together, we are committed to building a skilled workforce for the future, ensuring that people have access to training and opportunities needed to thrive in the industry.
The launch of the Kirklees Skills Hub is expected to have a substantial impact on the local community, fostering growth and innovation within the construction sector. The hub is dedicated to preparing the future workforce, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge required to excel in their careers. |
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Global Recycling Day: advancing sustainability with faster trains, more services, and reduced carbon emissions
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On this year's Global Recycling Day, TRU reflected on its progress in sustainability, highlighting the crucial role of recycling and reusing in delivering a cleaner, greener railway across the North. Established by the Global Recycling Foundation, this day raises awareness about the importance of recycling and promotes the concept of waste as a valuable resource. As part of the TRU Sustainable Development Strategy - Our Guiding Compass - recycling is a core objective, with 90% of projects across the route now in the design and delivery phase.
Given the scale of work TRU is undertaking, a significant amount of natural resources and materials is required to build and maintain the infrastructure. The programme has made firm commitments to managing materials efficiently and eliminating unnecessary waste.
With a target of recycling or reusing 90% of waste generated during construction, TRU is currently exceeding this goal at 96.3%. Additionally, TRU's commitment to divert 99% of construction waste from landfill is being met, with current performance standing at 99.15%.
TRU is embracing the principles of circular economy by maximising the use and value of materials for as long as possible. This includes designing out waste from the outset, planning work so that materials can be deconstructed and reused, and actively reusing waste.
One notable example is the collaboration between TRU and the Rail Electrification Alliance (REAL), which involved transferring 13,000 tonnes of leftover construction material from REAL sites to TRU sites, saving approximately 1,200 tonnes of carbon.
Additionally, the use of composite sleepers during Christmas works at Osmondthorpe Lane bridge in 2024 reduced the project's carbon usage by 71%. These efforts highlight TRU's commitment to reducing its carbon impact and setting an example for sustainable infrastructure development. |
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| Blockades completed in Ravensthorpe and Leeds |
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We have successfully completed recent midweek blockades between Ravensthorpe and Leeds, as part of our commitment to enhancing the railway infrastructure in West Yorkshire.
During this period, we've made significant improvements, including renewing over two kilometres of track, installing nearly one kilometre of new drainage, and setting up 10 new overhead line equipment (OLE) masts. We also deconstructed the redundant Batley signal box as shown in the picture on the left side. |
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| Completion of electrification at Colton Junction |
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Over the weekend of March 22 & 23, essential tangential wiring work was completed to connect the overhead wires of the York to Leeds line with the East Coast Main Line at Colton Junction, bringing us closer to electric passenger trains running between York and Church Fenton later this summer. During the closure, additional work was completed to minimise future disruptions, including replacing two sets of points south of York, upgrading signalling, improving drainage, and installing new overhead line foundations and masts for the ongoing electrification towards Leeds.
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| Celebrating Women in Rail on International Women's Day |  |
On International Women's Day, we celebrated the incredible women driving progress across TRU and wider rail industry. From engineers to community engagement officers, Team TRU's women are making significant impact.
This year's theme, #AccelerateAction, emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion, reminding us to break down barriers and support women in the industry. This celebration aligns with Railway200, highlighting 200 years of railway history and encouraging the next generation to be part of its future. A huge thank you to all the amazing women across the industry - your dedication inspires us all!
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UPCOMING UPGRADES
| Rail Closures | Between Huddersfield and Leeds |
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Weekend closures between Mossley and Deighton between Saturday 29 March and Sunday 11 May 2025.
On Saturdays and Sundays during the closure period, our team will carry out upgrades to facilitate track renewals, OLE foundation installation, station and bridge works in Huddersfield and Deighton. Extended weekend closure between Huddersfield and Dewsbury from Friday April 18 to Tuesday April 23 2025 (Easter weekend).
We will carry out work to facilitate upgrades at Mirfield station which includes the completion of the new platform and the new station entrance from Station Road, along with track renewals to serve the new platform. |
To keep customers on the move, diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will be in use. Customers are being asked to plan their journey ahead of time by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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| Road Closures | Between Huddersfield and Leeds |
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Thornhill Road, in Dewsbury, is currently closed to vehicles from January 6 to June 22 2025.
Part of Fall Lane also closed on Tuesday 1 April. The closures are required to complete utility diversions, as part of work to re-align the road layout and the nearby track for line speed improvement. Access remains in place to businesses and properties along Thornhill Road and Fall Lane.
Please note: Both Fall Lane and Thornhill Road will reopen from 7pm on Friday May 16 to 5am on Monday May 19 2025.
The A641 Bradford Road / Northgate in Huddersfield is currently closed to vehicles and pedestrians on weekends until mid-May.
A full list of the closure dates can be found here. The closures are required to facilitate strengthening work to Huddersfield viaduct before new track is installed.
Whitacre Street, in Deighton, is currently closed to vehicles until July 2026. Whitacre Street is currently closed to vehicles. Access is open for pedestrians and residents, including access to and from the station.
Pedestrian access is planned to remain in place until the end of August 2025, when the road is planned to shut completely to pedestrians until July 2026. A closure to pedestrians is also planned over the last weekend of April.
The closure will enable sheet piling to be carried out to the east of Whitacre Street bridge, as part of wider work to replace the bridge with a new structure so that overhead line equipment can be installed through the area, powering cleaner and faster journeys.
Station Road, in Mirfield, Street, is planned to shut on Saturday nights and some full weekends between Friday March 21 and Tuesday April 22 2025. The closures will facilitate the completion of the new platform and the new station entrance from Station Road, along with track renewals to serve the new platform.
Uppermill High Street in Greenfield, Greater Manchester is planned to shut on two weekends in April and May.
Part of Uppermill High Street, Den Lane, and the towpath along Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be shut to pedestrians and vehicles on the following dates and time: - 6am on Saturday April 26 until 11am on Sunday April 27 2025
- 6am on Saturday May 3 until 11am on Sunday May 4 2025
The closures will facilitate the track renewals that form part of a wider sequence of railway improvements across the North, as part of TRU. |
Between Leeds and York |
Station Road, in Cross Gates, Leeds, will be closed from Monday March 31 until Tuesday November 25. The southbound carriageway of Station Road will be closed to enable reconstruction work to take place, creating room for electrical overhead lines to be installed, enabling faster, greener and more frequent electric trains to run.
Drivers making longer journeys through the area to reach the M1 and A63 will be diverted via the westbound A64 and southbound East Leeds Orbital Route. Drivers making shorter journeys within the local area will be diverted via Austhorpe Road, Manston Lane, the East Leeds Orbital Route and Selby Road.
More information and project updates can be found at theTRUpgrade.co.uk/StationRoad. |
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We want to thank you for your continued support as TRU transforms the railway in the North of England.
The TRU monthly stakeholder update is just one of the ways we communicate and share information with you. If there is anything you would like to discuss, please contact the TRU Communications Team: TRUCommunications@networkrail.co.uk.
For more information, please visit theTRUpgrade.co.uk.
Warm regards, Team TRU |
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